Picketers protest DTE Energy after three children die in home with no power, illegal hookup

Several Metro Detroit residents angry at DTE Energy for shutting off power to the home of a mother and seven children picketed outside the energy provider's offices on Thursday, blaming the company for three of the kids' deaths.

The family was using space heaters to warm the home on an illegal connection. Sylvia Young, the kids' mother, was out buying more space heaters when a fire started at the home.

Three of her children, ages 3, 4 and 5, were killed while the others -- ranging in age from 3 months to 12 -- were treated for their injuries. Two are still hospitalized. They had been living without power since December 11.

But, a spokesman for DTE Energy says the company is not responsible for the fire. The company says it is investigating whether a DTE employee knew how many children were living in the home when the power was shut off.

It's the second time this year that people have been killed in a fire at a home with an illegal power connection. But is DTE to blame?

Reverend: DTE is a business and business are established to make money. If you
dont pay your cable it gets shutoff. DTE did not cause the fire...If the occupants wouldnt have illegally hooked up the electric then
they would not have been running space heaters. Even then it was still
neglect on their part to let the heaters catch on fire.

shanedr: Yeah, it is too much money we pay for power. Trouble is we're paying
more then we should because of those who aren't paying for their power.

Muffy57: My bills are paid.. but just barely... and my house is paid for. Bills
are just too damn high. I don't know how they expect for anyone to
survive and pay their bills, too. Especially if they have a house
payment on top of it. Makes me wonder how much they have left to eat
with?